Luna Junction 2 Forbidden Mate (W) by Sage Domini

crossed his face. “Artemis,
you’re going to be on your own today. I’ve got to head to Phoenix
for a meeting and I’ll be staying overnight. I’ll be back around
dawn tomorrow.”
    “ What kind of
meeting?”
    My father looked uncomfortable.
“Eddie’s coming with me.”
    “ Oh,” I nodded. “That kind.
The secret kind.” I waited to see if he would explain further but
he did not. More than a few times during my childhood strange and
solemn figures had passed through our home. They were never
introduced to me, nor did they feel obliged to make basic overtures
of politeness. I chewed my toast, thinking. I wasn’t at all sure
what would be expected of me as a huntress. I wasn’t convinced I
even wanted to know.
    Max watched me uneasily. “So you’ll be
okay today? I’ll be taking the truck.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, Dad. I can
manage on my own for a day.”
    He nodded and took a bite of a banana.
“All right. But don’t answer the door for anyone.”
    I was curious. “Why not?”
    “ There’s some things going
on right now. Could be nothing, or could be bad. I’ll know more
soon.” He cleared his throat. “Sorry for the mystery. I should be
able to explain a few things in the very near future.”
    I laughed lightly. “I’m still reeling
from you last explanation. How much more could there
be?”
    His eyes were troubled. “Quite a bit,
I’m afraid.”
    Once Max departed I searched around in
vain for something to do. There was no longer a television in the
house and he’d taken his laptop with him. I briefly pondered
lounging around in bed and watching naughty YouTube videos on my
phone but a glance outside at the brilliant day changed my mind. It
had been years since I’d spent any appreciable time in the fresh
air. The solitude of the woods might be somewhat refreshing after
the surreal events of the last few days.
    A few moments later I was frowning as I
rifled through my bag. I had left California in a hurry and was
rapidly running out of wearable garments. Since Max didn’t see the
need for a washing machine, I made a mental note to do some hand
washing in the bathtub later. In the meantime, since only wolves
covered in fur could gallivant around naked, I slipped on a
sundress. It was really too white and frilly for a hike but would
have to do. My chunky sneakers definitely completed the offbeat
look but I figured no one would see me anyway.
    The sky was a perfect cerulean blue.
The sun was already sharing a fair dose of its warmth. And it was
early. It would only get warmer.
    Briefly I paused in front of the gray
shed. On impulse, I opened the door and withdrew a bow and a pack
of arrows, both of which I slung across my back. I was not
expecting to meet any threat but well remembered the vulnerability
of yesterday’s confrontations. I would not be caught so helpless
again.
    I almost felt like skipping as I
crossed the clearing and entered the woods. How many happy hours
had I spent exploring this little patch of earth? Through the smoky
scents of autumn, the bitter ice of deep winter, the sweet promise
of spring and the blissful languor of summer, I knew this place in
all seasons. A light breeze sifted through my hair as I made my way
with care, pausing to feel the rough tree bark or to admire a
scrappy flower patch. It must have been my subconscious which let
me unwittingly to that place deep in the woods.
    My heart stopped when I glimpsed the
giant white birch. This had been our spot, Gideon’s and mine. I
walked cautiously, fearfully, over to the stone bench, as if I
could be wounded by simply being here. It looked exactly the same
as it did in my memory. I sat down on the hard rock, bracing myself
for a flood of emotional pain but I only felt vaguely sad. It was
only a place, like a hundred million other places. I doubted Gideon
had forgotten it but I also doubted it meant anything to him any
longer.
    A few nearby birds were agitated by my
presence, squawking with fury as they